Used 2016 Volkswagen Passat for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat cost?

Prices have softened 3.90% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 828 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of used Passats to compare.

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat a good car?

Yes — the 2016 Volkswagen Passat earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.8/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Performance and Safety.

It’s a midsize family sedan that emphasizes straightforward practicality over flash, and the expert review describes it as an excellent family sedan for shoppers who value substance. The Passat’s strengths include its roomy, conservative, and inoffensive design, plus a driving character that feels more powerful than the numbers suggest.

30.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so you still have room to shop carefully.

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The expert review points to average reliability predictions, but it also notes that mechanically the Passat has earned mostly high marks from owners since the 2012 redesign. The cost-of-ownership discussion also highlights strong fuel efficiency and good value, which helps offset some of the model’s reputation concerns.

The main long-term ownership risk for used buyers is that reliability perceptions and infotainment complaints can weigh on ownership confidence, so condition and maintenance history matter.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Volkswagen Passat?

At 52.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-trim car with more equipment. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior bodywork, and whether the features you want are actually present on the specific car you’re viewing.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The S trim uses a smaller 5-inch screen, while SE, SEL, and SEL Premium models get a 6.3-inch display; the R-Line also has the smaller screen and misses some desirable equipment. The SE, SEL, and SEL Premium trims add more safety and convenience content, while the top trims bring the most complete feature set.
• Powertrain: Most cars use the turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, and the optional V6 is reserved for the top SEL Premium trim. The engine is tuned for strong low-end response and good fuel economy rather than outright speed.
• Safety package: The Passat earns Top Safety Pick status, and SE, SEL, and SEL Premium trims meet Top Safety Pick+ standards thanks to forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Blind-spot warning with lane-change alert and rear cross-traffic alert is standard on SEL and SEL Premium, while SE can be optioned with it.
• Infotainment: The 6.3-inch system adds App-Connect with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink, plus Bluetooth calling and music streaming, a USB port, and touchscreen controls. Car-Net is available with the larger system, and navigation is included with the SE Technology Package and on SEL and SEL Premium.
• Fuel efficiency: The Passat returns 29 mpg in combined driving, and the review also records 29.7 mpg on a test loop and 24.8 mpg during more demanding driving.

Which 2016 Volkswagen Passat trim should I buy?

The 2016 Volkswagen Passat is offered in 4 trim levels: S, SE, R-Line, and SEL Premium V6.

Here's the short version:

• S: This is the entry point, and it makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the Passat nameplate. You give up the larger infotainment screen and the richer safety and convenience content found higher up the range.
• SE: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the more useful 6.3-inch infotainment system, adaptive cruise control, and access to the key safety tech that makes the Passat more compelling as a family sedan.
• R-Line: Choose this if you care most about the sport-themed appearance and the dark gray 19-inch wheels, but be aware that it still misses some of the safety and comfort content you may want in a family car.
• SEL Premium V6: This is the most fully equipped choice, with the optional V6, the premium audio system, parking sensors, Parking Steering Assistant, and the most complete safety package.

The safety-package sweet spot is the SE and above, since those trims unlock the strongest safety content.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Volkswagen Passat?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 30.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 828 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.90% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 52.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $9,066, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat's resale value?

The current average of $9,066 sits slightly below last year's $9,433.

That softer pricing suggests the Passat is currently a buyer-friendly used car, but it also means future sellers may face a more competitive market. If you buy well and keep the car in strong condition, you’ll be better positioned to protect value later.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Passat safe?

The 2016 Volkswagen Passat earns Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the federal government.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Volkswagen made forward-structure changes for 2016, and the Passat also gets standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking and a standard reversing camera. SE, SEL, and SEL Premium trims add the strongest safety setup, including forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking, while SEL and SEL Premium also get blind-spot warning with lane-change alert and rear cross-traffic alert as standard.

One caveat is that the R-Line cannot be equipped with some of the key safety technologies that make the higher trims more appealing for family use.

Should I buy a 2016 Volkswagen Passat or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 30.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 52.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.90% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Volkswagen’s 2016 update adds stronger safety packaging and a more useful infotainment setup.

Consider the 2017 if:

• At $10,493, the 2017 costs more than the current year's $9,066 average.
• The 2017 makes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and smartphone integration standard above the base trim.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2016 is the smarter buy because it’s cheaper and still well equipped in the right trims. If you’re willing to pay more for a newer model with broader standard safety and tech content, the 2017 is the cleaner upgrade path.

How does the 2016 Volkswagen Passat compare to the 2016 Toyota Camry?

Our experts score the 2016 Volkswagen Passat 7.8/10 and the 2016 Toyota Camry 7.2/10.

The Passat gives you the lower average used price, a stronger highway fuel-economy figure, and a higher expert score. The Camry asks more money on the used market, but it brings slightly more horsepower and a larger pool of listings. If you want the better value and a more relaxed highway cruiser, the Passat has the edge; if you want a pricier but more common alternative, the Camry is the familiar benchmark.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.